Loc-blox

ABSTRACT

A vault that is built into the foundation of a house, the vault comprising a steel box which is of a size corresponding to the dimensions of a concrete block such as is used in a house foundation wall, and which accordingly replaces one of the concrete blocks by being fitted into the foundation wall, the steel box having a fire-resistant and heat-resistant coating on an inner side and being provided with an outwardly pivotable door which is insulated and provided with a simple latch with provisions for a padlock or which may include a security lock.

United States Patent Enright LOC-BLOX [72] Inventor: Norman D. Enright,2170 San Fer nando Dr., Elm Grove, Wis. 53122 [22] Filed: Dec. 3, 1970[21] Appl. No.: 94,771

[52] US. Cl ..109/50 [51] Int. Cl ..E05g H04 [58] Field of Search109/50, 5 1, 52; 220/36, 3.5, 220/18 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,819,692 1/1958 Johnson ..l09/50 1,023,425 4/1912 Harrison..109/50 2,141,700 12/1938 Tinnerman ..52/511 1 51 Aug. 15, 19722,635,563 4/1953 McBride l09/52 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Mlachado 57 ABSTRACT A vault that is built into the foundation of a house, thevault comprising a steel box which is of a size corresponding to thedimensions of a concrete block such as is used in a house foundationwall, and which acv cordingly replaces one of the concrete blocks bybeing fitted into the foundation wall, the steel box having afire-resistant and heat-resistant coating on an inner side and beingprovided with an outwardly pivotable door which is insulated andprovided with a simple latch with provisions for a padlock or which mayinclude a security lock.

1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures LOC-BLOX This invention relates generally tovaults.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a vault whichcan be readily built into the foundation of a home or apartment buildingduring the construction thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vault whichcomprises a fireproof box made of steel and which is of a size thatcorresponds with the dimensions of a concrete block such as is used inthe construction of a foundation wall and which accordingly the steelbox replaces one thereof during the construction.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a vaultwhich accordingly can be used for maintaining documents and otherobjects in a safe place against fire in view that the foundation usuallysurvives a fire even though a remainder of a house may be burned down.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a fireproof vaultwhich is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged inconstruction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown mountedwithin a foundation wall, and

FIG. 2 is a top plan view shown partly in cross section and showing thebox without the enclosing door.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral representsa loc-blox vault according to the present invention wherein there is asteel box 11 which is provided with a closure door 12.

The box 11 is made from a light gauge steel and which includes a backwall 13, a top wall 14, a bottom wall 15 and opposite side walls 16 soto form an enclosure 17 there within having an access opening 18 on afront side thereof which is normally closed by the door 12.

The interior side 19 of the enclosure 17 is provided with a heatresistant coating.

The oppening 18 to the enclosure 17 is provided with an outwardlyextending flange 20 which rests against a front side 21 of adjacentconcrete blocks 22. It is to be noted that the size of the steel box issuch that the dimensions are the same as the concrete block so that thebox is used in substitution of one of the concrete blocks during theconstruction of the foundation wall.

Upon the outer sides of the side walls 16 of the box there are welded apair of clips 23 as shown in FIG. 2, and which are for the purpose ofsnapping behind the projecting end 24 of the adjacent concrete block 22and which accordingly thus prevents the steel box from falling outwardlyforward from the wall.

Additionally such clips provide a quick and easy manner of snappinglyfit the steel box into the wall in situations where a foundation wallalready exists and the vault is intended to be installed by removing oneof the concrete blocks.

The door 12 is provided with an insulation on .its inner side and ispivotable about hinges 25 which are formed by projecting tabs 26 on thedoor which are receivable within slots 27 in the flange 20 on the frontside pf the x l 1.

A ock 2 of any type may be installed upon the door for-securementagainst a bracket .29 welded on the interior of the box as shown.

Thus there is provided a relatively inexpensive and convenient fireproofvault for a home or an apartment building.

Whatl now claim is:

1. In a fireproof vault, the combination of a fire-resistant box havinga pivotable door attached thereto, said box having self-contained meansfor being fitted into a foundation wall of a house wherein saidfoundation wall is made of concrete blocks, said box being made of lightgauge steel and which includes a back .wall, a top wall, a bottom wall,and opposite end walls,

said walls forming an enclosure having an access opening on a front sidethereof, said access opening having an outwardly extending flangetherearound for being positioned against a front side of adjacentconcrete blocks in said foundation wall, said door being made of steeland provided with an insulation material on the inner side thereof, saiddoor being secured to said flange of said box by means of hinges, andsaid door being provided with a lock, the interior side of said boxenclosure being provided with a heat-resistant coating, a pair of clipsbeing rigidly affixed to an outer side of said side walls, said clipsbeing adaptable for springingly engaging behind a projection normally atthe side ends of said concrete blocks, and said enclosure beingpositioned in spaced away relationship on all sides from said foundationwall.

1. In a fireproof vault, the combination of a fire-resistant box havinga pivotable door attached thereto, said box having selfcontained meansfor being fitted into a foundation wall of a house wherein saidfoundation wall is made of concrete blocks, said box being made of lightgauge steel and which includes a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall,and opposite end walls, said walls forming an enclosure having an accessopening on a front side thereof, said access opening having an outwardlyextending flange therearound for being positioned against a front sideof adjacent concrete blocks in said foundation wall, said door beingmade of steel and provided with an insulation material on the inner sidethereof, said door being secured to said flange of said box by means ofhinges, and said door being provided with a lock, the interior side ofsaid box enclosure being provided with a heat-resistant coating, a pairof clips being rigidly affixed to an outer side of said side walls, saidclips being adaptable for springingly engaging behind a projectionnormally at the side ends of said concrete blocks, and said enclosurebeing positioned in spaced away relationship on all sides from saidfoundation wall.